Meet the UAE students who achieved the highest possible IB Diploma score of 45 points in the world.
Dubai: Several schools across the UAE have reported strong International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) results, with some students achieving perfect scores, following a final academic year disrupted by regional conflict.
Exams were cancelled across the UAE and wider Gulf after the US-Israel-Iran war caused widespread disruption. The International Baccalaureate Organisation instead applied its Non-Exam Contingency Measure (NECM), an alternative assessment system used to evaluate candidates.
Schools received results last evening, with many students attending in person to collect their result letters.
UAE schools outperform global averages
Innoventures Education said its IB schools — Dubai International Academy–Emirates Hills, Dubai International Academy–Al Barsha, and Raffles World Academy — achieved a 100% pass rate, with a group average of 35.8 points.
The group added that students secured over $15 million in university scholarships and received offers from several leading universities.
Four students achieved the maximum score of 45 points, a level attained by fewer than 0.1% of IB Diploma candidates worldwide. Another six students scored 44 points, while 60 students across the cohort achieved 40 points or higher.
Graduates from the Class of 2026 have received offers from leading institutions including the University of Cambridge, Imperial College London, the University of Pennsylvania, and McGill University.
At GEMS Education, 611 students across eight schools completed the Diploma Programme, achieving an average score of 35 points and a 99% pass rate, outperforming last year’s global averages of 31 points and 81%.
An additional 78 students across three schools completed the Career-related Programme (CP), with all of them passing. The CP blends academic study with career-focused learning designed to prepare students for higher education and employment.
Top-performing GEMS schools
- GEMS Wellington International School – average DP score of 37
- GEMS Modern Academy – average DP score of 35
- GEMS Dubai American Academy, GEMS American Academy–Abu Dhabi, GEMS World Academy–Dubai, and Al Khaleej International School – average of 34 each
Across the group, GEMS Education’s pass rate improved from 92% to 99%, while its average Diploma score rose from 34 to 35 points.
Class of 2026 top achievers
Four students achieved the maximum 45 points: Nour Bilal Al Husseini, Kane Simpson, Aadit Chandrani, and Arnav Jayaswal.
“Seeing my final IB results feels almost unreal because I spent so long imagining this day, and now it’s finally here,” Al Husseini said. “I feel incredibly relieved and proud, but there’s also a part of me that’s looking back at all the ordinary school days, the laughter, the challenges, and the memories that made these years so special. It feels like closing a chapter of my life that I’ll always look back on with a smile.”
For Simpson, the achievement was as much about community as it was about grades: “The IBDP was both challenging and rewarding, and I could not have done it without the support of the DIA community. I’m grateful for the guidance from my teachers and staff, who made this achievement possible.”
“The IBDP was challenging yet deeply rewarding. DIA’s dedicated teachers, strong support systems, and constant guidance gave us every opportunity to succeed and grow throughout the journey,” Chandrani said.
Jayaswal, meanwhile, reflected on the personal growth the programme brought him: “Beginning and completing my IB journey at DIA has given me unforgettable memories, both academically and personally.”
Marissa Haydar, who scored 44 points, offered a different perspective on what success meant this year. “Looking back, the IBDP taught me that success is often built quietly, through consistency, patience, and the choice to keep trying even when things feel uncertain,” she said.
“I am grateful for the growth this journey brought me, not only academically but also in the way I learned to trust myself and approach challenges with more confidence. I am thankful to my teachers, friends, and especially my parents for supporting me in ways I will always appreciate. I leave RWA proud of what I have achieved, grateful for the people who helped me get here, and ready to carry these lessons into the next chapter.”
Education leaders said the results reflect more than academic performance alone.
Poonam Bhojani, CEO of Innoventures Education, said this year’s outcomes demonstrate students’ resilience, determination, and character. “They have navigated challenges with courage and emerged stronger, proving that success is built not only on academic ability but also on perseverance and purpose. We are immensely proud of the Class of 2026 and look forward to seeing the meaningful impact they will make in the world,” she said.
Dino Varkey, Group Chief Executive Officer of GEMS Education, highlighted the strong improvement across GEMS schools. “This has been a standout year for GEMS’ International Baccalaureate students. Our pass rate has risen from 92% to 99%, while our average Diploma score has increased from 34 to 35 points, further reinforcing our position as one of the region’s leading IB providers. Six of our schools have achieved a perfect 100% pass rate,” he said.
“Academic excellence is important, but these results also speak to something deeper. They reflect young people of character, supported by exceptional educators and families who believe in the power of education to unlock possibility. Congratulations to our entire community on another remarkable year,” he added.
Lisa Crausby OBE, Group Chief Education Officer at GEMS Education, said the outcomes were the result of sustained effort across the school community.
“Exceptional academic outcomes do not happen by chance. They reflect the hard work of our students, the expertise of our teachers, the high expectations that underpin excellence across our schools, and the strong partnership with families that enables every learner to achieve their very best,” she said. “The International Baccalaureate is one of the world’s most rigorous academic pathways, and we are immensely proud of how our students have risen to the challenge.”
Richard Drew, Chairperson of the UAE IB Association and Principal of Jumeira Baccalaureate School, said the Non-Exam Contingency Measure was introduced to ensure students affected by conflict-related disruption were not disadvantaged.
“This year, all UAE IB schools were supported through the International Baccalaureate’s Non-Exam Contingency Measure, introduced in response to conflict-related disruption,” he said. “The results awarded are fully recognised IB results, reflecting the IB’s rigorous quality assurance processes and its commitment to ensuring students could continue their educational journeys.”
